Lily’s body stiffened as soon as his lips came down on hers. The surrounding air was thick and, for the first time in a long time, Lily forgot about her worries. All that mattered to her at that moment was the feel of Tony’s lips on hers.
She would be lying if she said she had never imagined this moment, but none of her imagination could compare to the reality she was now living in.
‘Tony’s lips are on mine.’ She thought briefly, butterflies swarming in her tummy.
His lips were soft, and his kiss was gentle, nothing like Louis’s.
Because of Louis, Lily despised sexual acts of any kind, but as she sat under Tony’s hold, trapped in his gentleness, she realized that she didn’t want that moment to end.
Sensing her brief hesitation, Tony bit down on Lily’s lips, causing her to gasp and part her lips. He used that opportunity to deepen the kiss, plunging his tongue into her mouth. The warmth from his mouth caused a moan to slip out of Lily’s lips.
She shifted closer to him, wanting to feel more of him and, as Tony noticed, he took his hands to her waist and deepened the kiss, a rough moan leaving him.
She was like a drug he couldn’t get enough of. Tony’s hand roamed across her body, and he didn’t need anyone to tell him that she had no underwear on.
As soon as his hands slid up and came in contact with her breasts, Lily froze. Memories of Louis forcing himself on her, groping and squeezing her breasts while she cried endlessly slipped into her mind and she immediately jerked and backed away quickly with fear written all over her.
Worry filled Tony as he saw the trauma from her past haunt her. Her body shook with fear and her lips trembled, whispering low incoherent words.
‘N-no, Louis. P-p-ple-a-ase.” She whispered, shaking her head with her eyes shut tightly. ‘D-don’t touch me. Please don’t.” She whispered as hot tears began to flow from her eyes.
Tony wasted no second rushing to her, covering her tiny frame with his as he caressed her hair and whispered calm, soothing words to her.
“He isn’t here, Lily. He can’t hurt you anymore.” He whispered calmly. “I am here, Lily. Everything will be fine.” He assured her with his arms wrapped around her.
They stayed in that position for a few minutes, with Tony hugging and whispering reassuring words to her while she cried quietly. After twenty minutes, Lily calmed down and finally pulled out of the hug.
“I-I should get going now. Thank y-you, Tony.” She said with her head lowered in embarrassment. She hated that Tony had once again seen her in a vulnerable state and, as usual, it had to do with Louis.
Without waiting for his reply, Lily turned, ready to leave for a room, but she was stopped by Tony’s hand on her arm.
“Stay.” His voice was firm yet laced with a plea. “Please, stay.” He repeated with soft, pleading eyes.
Lily’s lips parted, ready to refuse and give him her reason but, as if reading her mind, Tony shook his head dismissingly. “Don’t say anything, Lily. Just stay.” He pressed and, after a while, Lily realized he wasn’t going to let her return to her room, so, she gave in.
“O-okay.” She whispered with a nod, causing a smile to appear on Tony’s face.
“I was just finishing up some paperwork. Sit here. I’ll join you in a few minutes.” He said, pulling her to the bed while he returned to his work desk.
As Lily sat on his bed, she couldn’t help but occupy her eyes with his looks. There was something about the way he flexed his muscles while working that made her insides jump. Then, she suddenly remembered that she had come into his room pretty late, so, she quickly checked her phone to find out what the time was.
“It’s past twelve!” She exclaimed with wide eyes and looked at Tony, who was still sorting out the documents on his computer.
“Do you usually work this late? Why do you go from work only to resume work at home?” She asked out of concern and Tony smirked.
“I am not a regular staff, Lily. Besides, TM Hospitals isn’t the only company I own. After working at the hospital all day, I have to give attention to my other businesses at night.” He replied and shut the computer down while Lily stared at him with her mouth open.
“You have another business?” She was bewildered as neither he nor Rachael had mentioned it. She always felt that all his wealth came from the hospital. She should have known that no wealthy man has just one source of income.
“That’s a topic for another day, Lily. Come, let’s go to bed.” He smiled as he joined her on the bed and pulled her closer, cuddling her like she was a teddy bear.
Lily hid her face in his chest, hoping that he didn’t catch her blushing like a teenager.
As she drifted to sleep, she heard Tony whisper, “Goodnight, Lily. You are my responsibility now.” He said quietly and kissed her head.
*
*
“Bodyguards? Tony, please.” Lily’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets after hearing Tony’s suggestion.
She sat at the breakfast table with Tony, Rachael, and her daughter, Daisy.
Halfway into breakfast, Tony announced that he would be hiring extra security for the house now that Louis was on the loose and was ready to do anything just to get Lily. He proceeded to inform them that as an extra security measure, everyone living under his roof would have two bodyguards assigned to them who would be with them at all times.
“I can’t take bodyguards to the hospital, Tony. What do you think people will say?” She added, her eyes begging Tony to understand.
“People’s opinions don’t matter, Lily. You should know this already. Your safety is all that matters to me.” He replied dismissingly.
“I cannot take a bodyguard to the hospital, Tony. Please think of something else.” Lily added softly, and Rachael sighed loudly in an attempt to get both their attention.
“I think Lily should stay away from the hospital for now. Until Louis is behind bars, I don’t think she should be on her own, especially since he already knows where she works.” Rachael suggested, and Lily’s eyes widened. Before she could shake her head in disagreement, Tony nodded and said.
“I agree with Rachael. I’ll speak to the manager and inform him that you’ll be taking a few days off work.” Tony said, nodding happily while Lily stared at both siblings with confusion and annoyance.
“What… what are you guys doing?” She said after a while with a tired sigh.
“Why does everyone treat me like a child?! Do you not think I should have a say in my own life?!” She raised her voice with a pained expression on her face. Then, she stood up abruptly and looked at Tony.
“You’re no different from Louis. All you people want is to control my life! I am not a fucking child!”